Renegade Ugandan general quietly returns home

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A renegade Ugandan general who fled the country last year over an alleged threat to his life returned to Uganda Sunday in what appeared to be a negotiated settlement with Uganda's long-serving leader.

David Sejusa, a four-star general who sat on Uganda's military high command before he fled to exile in London, was officially received by the head of Uganda's domestic security agency, said Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, the lawyer for Sejusa.

The general's quiet return suggested he reached a deal with Museveni, whom he had repeatedly called a dictator with plans to turn this East African country into a monarchy.

"When he arrived, there was no incident and the police weren't there," said lawyer Rwakafuuzi, who also witnessed Sejusa's arrival.

Sejusa's return has surprised many in Uganda, where some saw him as a new member of the political opposition. The army had previously said Sejusa faces charges of treason, and some of his aides were arrested and charged with plotting to overthrow Museveni's government after he fled the country in April 2013.

At the time, he had written a letter to the domestic spy chief urging him to investigate allegations of a plot to kill high-ranking government officials seen as being opposed to the political rise of Museveni's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who runs the country's special forces. Many Ugandans believe Muhoozi is being groomed to succeed his father, allegations that Museveni denies.

It was not possible to get a comment from Sejusa, who went to his country home in central Uganda and is apparently free.

On Monday Uganda's ruling party will hold a conference during which Museveni is widely expected to be designated as the sole candidate in the next elections.